Willits: Out-of-control man prompts school lockdown

Baechtel Grove Middle School was locked down and police were called when a man refused to leave school grounds after using foul language and shouting at the children at around 10:52 a.m. Tuesday morning. Police used a Taser to subdue the man and subsequently arrest him. No students were injured.

"All doors were locked and students were kept in their classrooms until the Willits police informed us that all was clear. Student safety is our highest priority," said Willits Unified School District Interim Superintendent Debra Pearson. "I am extremely proud of the professional manner in which the site administrators and staff members carried out the lockdown orders. I am also appreciative of the Willits Police Department for their quick response to this potentially dangerous situation"

Willits police arrived promptly at the campus and confronted the man. A Mendocino County sheriff's deputy arrived to back them up, and a nearby Good Samaritan also offered assistance when it became clear the intruder was confrontational and unwilling to leave the campus on his own.

A Willits police officer tased the man, after he picked up a hunk of asphalt in a threatening manner and refused to put it down.

Claude Alexander Walker, 24, of Willits, was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance, disturbing the peace, trespassing on school grounds, and interfering with a peace officer.